Rolls-Royce had started building their first ever SUV back in 2015. While the luxury marque connoisseurs weren’t really enthused, the British car maker had their idea of future etched clearly. Built on the new aluminium architecture that underpins the latest flagship, the Phantom VIII, the Cullinan has turned out to be one of the best looking luxury SUVs as well.

Named after the largest diamond to be ever found, the Cullinan carries forward the legacy of the large Pantheon grille, the palace doors and unlimited opulence. The typical Rolls-Royce styling of the upright grille in the front and the rectangular LED headlamps with the signature fender is unmistakeable. From the front, the silver bash-plate under the front bumper is the only thing that gives away the SUV credentials.

When viewed from the side, the height of the Cullinan becomes apparent and so does its length. At 5.34 metres long, it is as long as most of the full-size American trucks and has a commanding height of 1.83 metres. It has two seating rows and the quarter-glass behind the C-pillar gives it a very airy look while the sloping D-pillar completes the luxurious look. Inside, the Rolls-Royce opulence is evident. It is not just the long list of features and bells and whistles, but also the way each one of them is built in the perfect place each time is something that defines the Rollers. There is one of the widest choice of leathers and colours to choose from to wrap the subtly laid out interior.

Powering the Cullinan is the Rolls-Royce 6.75-litre V12 pumping out 563bhp of power and 850Nm of torque. Mated to the eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, the Cullinan is also the first ever Rolls to get all-wheel drive. Replete with driving modes that can be adjusted on the fly and the active adaptive suspension that forms the ‘Magic carpet ride’ for Rolls-Royce ensures that the Cullinan has optimum grip and minimal passenger movement at all times.